Forty-five lawyers pledge support to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the processing of adoption cases during the consultation meeting between the DSWD and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) held in Tagaytay City last September 15.

These lawyers are members of the IBP from Batangas and Cavite chapters.

Dir. Annie Mendoza, DSWD IV-A Assistant Regional Director for Operations, emphasized to the lawyers that the collaboration between the DSWD and the lawyers for the processing of adoption cases will help ensure the best welfare of the children.

The DSWD highlighted the requirements of the law for the processing of legal adoption including certification that the child is legally available for adoption or consent to adopt for children who are wards of the State. Both these documents are released by the DSWD after the abandonment or neglect of the child for adoption has been proven or the parents or legal guardians have voluntarily committed the child for adoption.

As observed by the DSWD, there are prospective adoptive parents who file petition for adoption in court without these documents and results to delay of the process.

Further, it was stressed that all prospective adoptive parents must undergo adoption orientation from the DSWD regional offices prior to any adoption procedure. The adoption orientation is the first step of the adoption process where prospective adoptive parents are provided information on all the steps and requirements. This also ensures that all adoption cases follow the legal procedures.

Dir. Mendoza promoted among the lawyers to observe these when processing adoption cases so as not to further delay the adoption. She also the called for the possibility of reducing the cost of acceptance fees required by lawyers from prospective adoptive parents filing the adoption in court.

Atty. Gilbert Macatangay, IBP president of Batangas chapter, shared that they will work together with the DSWD to make it easier for the prospective adoptive parents and the children while the adoption is being processed. He added that they will collect cheaper acceptance fees from their clients.

Atty. Macatangay and Atty. Arnel Espiritu, president of IBP Cavite Chapter, also committed that they will share the information with other members of the IBP especially those who were unable to attend the consultation.# with reports from LDBallon